Friday Update

Today's weight loss numbers:

As of this morning, I am down another 1 pound.

Total weight loss so far:

9 pounds.

Total weight left to lose:

66 pounds.

I'm not too thrilled about the number this week, but at least the scale is moving again. Hopefully, it will continue to do so, but faster now.

Meat Only

A few years ago, I did a 3 day meat only period. It was fairly easy to do, but took will power and planning. Now, with Baby M being (the best) part of our lives, both planning and will power have taken a back burner. All planning is now in regards to her. That's not a cop out, though, because it always bothered me to hear people say that once they had kids, they had not choice but to "let themselves go." Instead, I am simply explaining why I didn't choose to do this at the beginning of induction this time around. I am wondering, however, if I had done this, would I have seen better results? Something to think about after Easter when I have consumed a little too much chocolate...

Real Verses Imitation Crab Meat

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 2 cup (62.0 g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 45 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 5.0g 8%

Cholesterol 35mg 12%

Sodium 350mg 15%

Total Carbohydrates 1.0g 0%

Protein 9.0g

Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 20% • Iron 4%

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

(Real Crab Meat)

Nutrition Facts

Size: 85g

Amount per Serving

• Calories 80 Calories from Fat 0

% Daily Value *

• Total Fat 0g 0%
• Saturated Fat 0g 0%
• Monounsaturated Fat 0g
• Trans Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 5mg 2%
• Sodium 640mg 27%
• Potassium 0mg 0%
• Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
• Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
• Sugars 6g
• Protein 5g

(Imitation Crab Meat)

The first label is from Geisha canned crab. It is genuine crab that you can find in the same area as the tuna at most local grocery stores. The second label is from an imitation crab meat that can also be found at the local grocery store, however, it is usually in the seafood section (frozen foods). While there are many differences in nutrition of real crab and imitation crab, the two most noticeable things to me are the sodium counts, as imitation crab has almost twice as much sodium as the real crab, and the sugars that have been added to the imitation crab. The real crab has 1 carb, as opposed to the imitation crab that has 15 carbs. The price difference is negligible, also. It's definitely worth it to find the real crab, even if you have to go to more than one store.

Crab and Broccoli Casserole

This is a great recipe for a wonderful casserole. I love seafood, and broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables. I like this casserole because has all the appeal of a comfort food, but it is much better for you. You will need the following ingredients:

2 tbsp of butter

1/4 cup of chopped onions

8 ounces of crab (not imitation)

1/4 cup of cream and 1/4 cup of water

2 cups of cooked broccoli (can be fresh or frozen)

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tbsp of lemon juice

The steps to making this casserole are fairly simple. You want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 1 quart casserole dish, and put the broccoli (already cooked) into the bottom. Sprinkle the broccoli with the cheddar cheese. Melt the butter in a pan and saute the onion. Add a tiny bit of flour to the onion, and add the salt. Gradually stir in the cream and water mixture. Cook this mixture until it has thickened, and add in the lemon juice and crab meat. Pour the mixture over the broccoli and cheddar, and bake it for 30 minutes. Serve it immediately and enjoy!